Alice White
Some cat food cans say “mixed with rice”. So rice seems to be good as cat food. In fact, there is a lot of good stuff in rice – at least from a human perspective. But what about the cat? Can cats have rice?
Is Rice Good or Bad for Cats?
- Cats are carnivores, grain is not the main source of energy.
- Rice can help fight diarrhea in cats.
- Small cats should not be given rice because switching from liquid to solid food is already a major challenge for the digestive system.
Is Rice Poisonous and Toxic to Cats?
No, rice is not toxic to cats. In fact, rice is mostly made up of carbohydrates, which cats should only consume in small amounts. Rice is okay as a filler in cat food. As the main food, however, it is completely unsuitable. While rice is not toxic to cats, it is not beneficial to their health.
The nutritional values of rice per 100 grams:
- 130 calories;
- 0.3 grams of 1 milligram of sodium;
- 35 milligrams of potassium;
- 28 grams of carbohydrates;
- 2.7 grams of protein.
The high proportion of carbohydrates has a filling effect. Too much of it, however, have a negative impact on the cat’s well-being. “Too much” carbohydrates cause obesity in the long run and can lead to diabetes, and it also makes rice difficult to digest.
Tip: Rice binds fluids in the gastrointestinal tract and can therefore help fight diarrhea in cats.
As a home remedy for cat diarrhea, rice is quite good.
Can Small Cats Eat Rice?
Cats and this of course also applies to small cats, are naturally carnivores. Therefore, the majority of the diet should consist of meat. The digestive system of kittens has to adjust to solid food after they have been weaned from their mother’s milk. Feeding the young animal with rice means that small cats will not be able to cope with the change in food.
Important: The cat’s organism is basically designed to digest protein-rich and high-fat food. The calories cats need to be fit and healthy come primarily from protein and fat – not from carbohydrates.
Give Rice in Moderation If the Cat Has Diarrhea
- When giving rice to a cat, make sure it is unsalted.
- Only give rice in moderation and mix it with other foods.
- Rice should be cooked beforehand as raw rice contains a lot of starch that cats cannot digest.
